WATER SECTOR OF MAURITIUS
OPPORTUNITIES,
CHALLENGES &
CONSTRAINTS
L. Juggoo
Director, Water Resources Unit
Ministry of Energy & Public Utilities
June 2015
ROAD MAP
• Overview
• Rainfall
• Water Resources
• Water Balance
• Water harnessed
• Water Utilisation Water Supply
• Challenges to water resources
• Projects
2
MAURITIUS IN FIGURES
• Area: 1865 km2 Population: 1.3 Million – Pop. density 657 person/ sq km Literacy rate: 90%
• Mauritian economy :
1970's- sugar-cane mono crop economy
1980's- sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles and garments) and tourism
mid 1990s – growth in global business (offshore) and free-port activities
Now – service driven and innovation oriented economy
• GDP per capita $ 8,743
Utility level of coverage Land coverage %
Water supply 99.9%
Agriculture 43
Sanitation ~26%
built-up areas 25
public roads 2
abandoned canefields, forests, scrub land, grasslands and 30
Tropical maritime climate grazing lands, reservoirs and ponds, swamps and rocks
warm humid summer : Nov. – Apr. - Temp. - 22-290 C Rainfall
relatively cool dry winter : May– Oct. -Temp. - 18-230C Summer: 1300 mm
Winter : 700 mm
3
TEMPORAL RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION IN MAURITIUS
Rainfall
Month
(mm)
Nov 80
Dec 199
Jan 261
Feb 336
Mar 242
Apr 226
May 159
Jun 115
Jul 120
Aug 122
Sep 81
Oct 70
4
SURFACE WATER RESOURCES
Dense network of rivers
• 25 major catchment areas
• 22 minor river basins
• 107 flow measuring station
Harnessed for potable and
agricultural water supply
• 350 river-run off takes
• 3 major river abstractions
• 6 major impounding reservoirs
total capacity = 77.4 Mm3
annual yield = 137 Mm3
5
GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
5 main aquifers of Mauritius
Harnessed to cater for water demand
• 429 boreholes :
133 domestic (90%)
157 irrigation (5%)
139 industrial (5%)
• about 300 observation wells
• Presently, groundwater represents
about 54% of potable water supply.
• Groundwater exploitation has
nearly reached saturation.
6
WATER BALANCE FOR MAURITIUS
PRECIPITATION
3700 mm
SURFACE RUNOFF
60%
2220 mm
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
30%
1110 mm
GROUNDWATER
RECHARGE
10%
370 mm
7
WATER HARNESSED
Freshwater abstraction
608 Mm3 (Year 2013)
Surface water Groundwater
487 Mm3 121 Mm3
River and
Reservoirs
streams
136 Mm3
351 Mm3
8
WATER UTILISATION -2013
Total Water Utilisation = 888Mm3
Estimated water utilisable potential 1300Mm3 (33%)
Mobilised to date - 70%
Upto 2040 - 10%
Beyond 2040 - 20%
9
WATER SUPPLY
99% of population have access to piped water supply
Volume of potable water treated: 217 Mm3 (2013)
Surface water 109.1 Mm3 (50.4%)
Groundwater 107.5 Mm3 (49.6%)
Water Sales: 111.3 Mm3
Potable water 95.9 Mm3 (86.1%)
non treated water 15.4 Mm3 (13.9%)
CWA’S Network Efficiency
• CWA’s Network – 4000 km of main pipes
• Very old Pipes - 1570 km to be replaced
• Physical Losses – 35%
• Commercial Losses – 15 %
• (Meter inaccuracy, fraud, authorized unbilled consumption)
10
PROJECTED WATER REQUIREMENT
By 2025 P- North MAV MAV South East Total
Louis Upper Lower
CWA Requirement 36 61 39 64 34 28 262
Production 40 52 42 41 33 27 235
Irrigation requirement 0 91 5 70 30 18 214
Present demand 0 69 3 67 19 10 168
By 2050 P- North MAV MAV South East Total
Louis Upper Lower
CWA Requirement 40 63 40 66 34 29 272
Production 40 52 42 41 33 27 235
Irrigation requirement 0 95 5 75 32 19 226
Present demand 0 69 3 67 19 10 168
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THREATS
TO
WATER RESOURCES
Water is an infinite renewable resource
BUT
Supply is finite.
12
CONSTRAINTS
Climate change
Temperature variation
Rainfall pattern
Extreme events
Sea level rise
Financial resources
13
CHALLENGES
• Pollution stress and impact on freshwater biodiversity
(Agriculture, Domestic, Industrial)
• Rapid run-off
• Conveyance & distribution losses in pipe networks
(Present level being around 50%)
• Low sanitation coverage
• Sea water intrusion
• Increasing demands & Consumption Patterns
• Limited financial resources
14
LOCAL TEMPERATURE TREND
FLOOD IN P-LOUIS- 30 MARCH 2013
Underpass at Caudan
Majestic Cinema Photos from L’express
website
16
CHANGING TREND IN RAINFALL PATTERN
Decreasing rainfall
Annual long term
Period
mean rainfall (mm)
1931 – 1960 2260
1961 – 1990 2100
1971 – 2000 2000
Annual long term mean rainfall
(mm)
2300
2200
2100
2000
1900
1800
1931 – 1960 1961 – 1990 1971 – 2000
16
Increasing rainfall intensity
INSTITUTIONAL SETUP
MEPU
CWA WMA
IA
WRU CEB
17
OPPORTUNITIES( Projects)
Construction/upgrading of storage dams
Rehabilitation of water infrastructure
Lowering of Unaccounted for water (Present level being
around 50%).
Water Demand Management
Water Re-use to be further promoted
Harnessing additional resources from rivers during wet
season
Additional diversion of flood water into existing reservoirs
Interlinking water supply zones
Modelling of groundwater
Undertaking of Feasibility Studies
Water Quality Surveillance (EDP, EIA, PER…)
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Rivière du Poste
diversion at
Arnaud.
Under operation
Under Construction
21
Bagatelle Dam
under
construction
22
Bagatelle Dam - Morning Glory Spillway
24
Bagatelle Dam
25
Bagatelle Dam after its
26
WATER SECTOR: LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Rivers and Canals Act (1863)
Groundwater Act (1970)
Environment Protection Act (2002)
Effluent Discharge Permit Regulation 2003
Standards for effluent Discharge Regulations 2003
CWA Act (1970)
Forests and Reserves Act (1983)
WMA Act (2000)
Public Health Act (1925)
STRATEGY
• Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (2012)
• Construction of dams (Midlands Dam , Arnaud at MAV,
Bagatelle Dam)
• Rehabilitation of water infrastructures
• Groundwater exploitation (Modelling of aquifers)
• Re-use
• Awareness campaigns
28
GLOBAL WATER POLICY
Goal 7: Ensure environmental
sustainability
Goal 6:Ensure availability and
sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
4 Principles (1992)
(3 main pillars)
-Social equity - Economic Efficiency - Ecological sustainability
1. Regional Cooperation in Water Resources Management:
2. Water for Development and Poverty Reduction:
3. Water for Environmental Sustainability:
4. Security from Water-related Disasters:
5. Water Resources Information and Management:
6. Water Resources Development and Management:
7. Regional Water Resources Institutional Framework:
8. Stakeholder Participation and Capacity Building:
9. Financing integrated water resources management in the region.
NATIONAL WATER POLICY
General Policies
Water Resources Development Policies
• Socio-Economic Development and the
• Alternative Sources of Water (Rainwater
Environment harvesting, desalination, re-use of water, recycling)
– Finite & vulnerable natural resource • Dam Development and Management
– Social & economic good • Affected Communities ( Participatory approach,
• Drinking and Sanitation Equitable compensation)
– Access to safe water supply • Rehabilitation and maintenance of water
– Integrated sanitation & water supply infrastructures
services Water Resources Management Policies
• Agriculture and Food Security • Water Resource Management
– Sustainable irrigated agriculture • Integrated Water Resources Planning
– Increase in water use efficiency • Water Quality Management
– Re-use of treated effluent • Conservation and Protection of Water
• Energy Development Resources
– Use of hydro-power • Water Demand Management
• Industrial Development • Water Allocation and Apportionment
– Water at economic value Water Security & Vulnerability Policies
• Sports and Recreation • Protection from Floods and Droughts
• Environment • Disaster Planning and Mitigation
– Maintain environmental flow • Climate Change
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
Principles:
Right to Water and Sanitation, Integrated Water Resources Management,
Partnerships, Research, Innovation, Governance
HOW
Water leaders / champions, youth water prizes for innovative contribution
Points to consider:
• Funding/Budget allocation, Policy/legal framework
• Water and sanitation issues in curriculum
• Formal education/training, school/community clubs
• Youth focal point appointment, networking/communication/awareness
• Put in place monitoring and evaluation mechanism
STRATEGY
• Infrastructure
- Construction of dams (Bagatelle, Riv. des Anguilles, Constance)
- Rehabilitation of water infrastructure (La Ferme Dam, Piton du
Milieu, feeder canals)
- Increasing reservoir storage (La Nicolière dam, La Ferme dam)
- Groundwater exploitation
• Financing
• Water Demand Management
- Lowering of UFW
• Legal and institutional setup
Conclusion & Way Forward
Adoption of National Water Policy
Implementation of Master Plan Strategy( Water Security)
Sufficient, safe, acceptable, accessible, and affordable
Reform
• Institutional
• Legal
• WDM
• Financial Sustainability of sector
Water Rights Reform
• Rationalisation through permit system
Water Quality Strategy
Communication/ Participation
• Awareness, Change in behaviour/mindset and Monitoring
Capacity building, knowledge and information sharing,
Technology /Innovation
Target Setting
Our wealthier but thirstier world
Rising income and changing diets
Meaty - American and Vegetarian - African and
European diets Asian diets
5,000 liters of water/day 2,000 liters of water/day
Global Virtual Water Trade
It takes ~ 70 times more water to produce food than people use for domestic purposes
Virtual water in the SADC
SPATIAL RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION IN MAURITIUS
PRECIPITATION - (mm)
3600mm
3000mm
2000mm
1000mm
LOCAL TEMPERATURE TREND
WATER RESOURCES POTENTIAL IN MAURITIUS
Total Utilisable Potential = 1300 Mm3
Upto 2040
10%
SW = 112
GW = 20
To date
71% Beyond 2040
SW =773
19%
GW =
150 SW = 245
WATER STRESS AND WATER SCARCITY
• Water Stress:
A supply less than 1700 m3/person/yr
• Water Scarce:
A supply less than 1000 m3/person/yr
(UNDP
1998)
Mauritius is already water stressed.
Equivalent to 1083 m3/person/yr
(based on actual population)
Mauritius is expected to suffer from water
scarcity by 2020
Forecasted supply: 974 m3/person /year
(based on a projected population of 1,335,000)
Increasing rainfall intensity
Longer dry season/ shorter wet season
42
Declining trend in piezometric levels
Shift in Replenishment in Reservoirs from December To January
WATER RESOURCES AVAILABILITY
High Dependency on Rain (100%)
Climatic changes
Dry Months (September-December)
• River Flows Decrease
• Ground Water Yields Decrease
• Decrease in Ground Water Recharge (Roads, Pavement, Buildings)
• Presently 50% of Potable Water from Ground Water
• Resort to Private Sources
Water Shortage
• Inadequate Surface Water Storage
Solutions:
Increase Storage Capacity
Build new Dams (Bagatelle, Riviere des Anguilles, etc….)
Increase capacity of existing ones where feasible
Interconnectivity of Sources
Midlands-Nicoliere-Port Louis
Midlands-Piton du Milieu-MAV
Bagatelle Dam-Municipal Dyke at Pailles
Favour more Ground water use during wet periods as far as practicable.
Desalination
A very costly solution.
In the Long Term, may be considered for consumers near the coast.
PROJECTED IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Temperature increase up to 2o C by 2070 + Health risks
Decrease in utilizable water resources by 13 % by 2050
Sea level to rise up to 1 m by 2100 + risks of surges
Coral bleaching + Loss in 50 % of beaches - USD 50 million loss
in the tourism sector by 2050
Decline in agricultural production by as much as 30% leading to
concerns over food security by 2050
More Frequent and Intense Extreme Climatic Events
CLIMATE CHANGE AND SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES
Vulnerability of Mauritius as a Small Island Developing State
• Fragile socio-economic structure
• Import dependency to cater for domestic needs
• Limited land resources – limited space for development, waste
disposal
• Reliance on tourism
• Threat of natural disasters; cyclones, floods, droughts, storm surges
and tsunami
• Adverse impact of climate change
sea level rise – risk of groundwater contamination by salt
water intrusion in coastal aquifers
more frequent occurrences of extreme natural disasters
Actions implemented to reduce vulnerability
Adaptation measures
• An integrated plan for water resources development prepared
• Midlands Dam with a storage capacity of 25.5 Mm3 was completed in
2002.
• Treatment plant capacity increased- La Nicoliere and La Marie Filter bed
• Hydrographic surveys and dam safety analyses have been carried out to
assess the conditions of major reservoirs
• Existing storage dams rehabilitated to minimize seepage losses
• Old and inefficient drinking water supply infrastructure is constantly
being replaced
• A “Non revenue Water” project is under implementation
Actions implemented to reduce vulnerability
Adaptation measures
• GW exploitation to satisfy water demand
• More efficient irrigation systems -drip and centre pivot
• Rehabilitations of canals to reduce losses
• Water resources quality monitoring programme set up.
A study conducted on “Agrochemicals in Sugar Cane and their Impact
on Water Quality” concluded that agrochemicals used in sugar cane
plantation do not represent any risk to the environment
• Re-use of treated waste water for irrigation purposes after
dilution
• Promulgation of standards to preserve quality of water
resources
• Deficit irrigation practised - save on water applied and enhance
rain harvesting
Actions implemented to reduce vulnerability
Adaptation measures
• Rain water harvesting
• Irrigation monitoring – improved water use efficiency
• Drought tolerant sugar cane cultivars developed
• Public awareness campaigns
